Fayette County Public Schools do not acknowledge mental health issues. Mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, are on a rise in teenagers. The schools put so much pressure to achieve a good education but how are we suppose to achieve a good education without a good state of mind? Mental health awareness needs to be talked about. Students who suffer need to know that they are not alone and that they are normal. Teenagers need to feel comfortable talking to a counselor about mental issues they may be experiencing and get advice. They talk about suicide prevention but what about the reasons behind the thoughts? Suicidal thoughts are a symptom or depression. If teenagers understood the signs of depression they could ask for help sooner before things get so bad that they feel death is the only way out. Suicide is permanent. I am only beginning with Fayette County, but hope other schools see the need for change also. It is 2020, mental health needs to be talked about and stigma needs to end. Schools need to care more about their students then their reputation. I need your help to convince the Board of Education that change NEEDS to happen! I want to show the Board of Education that many teenagers agree that mental health needs to be talked about, that awareness needs to happen! If you agree please sign. Thank you for supporting.